Licenses

[Rob Renaud]

Ben Finney <bignose-hates-spam at and-zip-does-too.com.au> wrote in message news:<slrnbeiemu.js2.bignose-hates-spam at iris.polar.local>...
> On Thu, 12 Jun 2003 16:06:47 -0400, Sean Gilbertson wrote:
> > for now I would like some sort of license that allows the user access
> > to the code, but not to modify or distribute it.
> 
> IANAL, TINLA.
> 
> Since you're distributing the code to people, you're allowing those
> people to have it.  If they have it, they're allowed to read it.
> Copyright law places no restrictions on viewing a work; thus, a
> copyright license does not have the power to permit or deny it.
> 
> If you don't want people to copy or redistribute (actions which current
> copyright law does reserve to you), a simple "Copying and redistribution
> prohibited" should do as a reminder.
> 
> > I certainly appreciate the GPL, and maybe I'll use it for this project
> > later on, but for now I want some freedom before I commit all-the-way
> > to an "open source" license like the GPL.
> 
> You want to have freedom, but you don't want your users to have freedom?
> I find it hard to sympathise with that position.

I can't stand people who try to protect their ability to make money
from their programs either.